Chapter 15: Mr. Blackwood Sued?

"They tried to bribe me with a beautiful woman to rat you out. It was so hard for me," Tristan joked, winking at Nova. Nova rolled her eyes, "Oh, please, get over yourself." Margaret looked on at their banter with a smile, clearly enjoying the show. Tristan yawned casually, "I just told them the whole story and they let me go." "That's it?" "Yep, that's it." Tristan waved his hand dismissively. Nova was puzzled. Given her boss's notorious temper, it didn't add up that he would let them off so easily. Was he playing a long game? Lost in thought, Nova didn't notice Tristan stepping closer until he gently caressed her cheek, "What's wrong?" Looking up, Nova saw concern—and a hint of anger—in Tristan's eyes. She had checked for any marks from a slap before coming home, making them barely noticeable. Tristan, with his keen perception, had noticed something was off the moment Nova walked in. As soon as Margaret headed into the kitchen, he asked her about it. Nova shrugged, trying to play it cool, "Just had a fight with my dad, that's all." Family issues are private, especially embarrassing ones like this. Nova didn't want to delve deeper, and Tristan didn't press her, knowing well he could find out if he really wanted to. "They really didn't do anything to you?" Nova still felt uneasy. Just then, her phone buzzed with a text. It was from Monica, a colleague she got along well with mainly because they both couldn't stand Victor Blackwood. Opening the message, Nova's jaw dropped—she could have fit an egg in her mouth. Victor Blackwood had resigned! During a routine background check, the company uncovered numerous abuses of power under his management, leading to a lawsuit and his permanent blacklisting from the industry. After decades in the field, middle-aged and jobless, Nova couldn't help but feel a thrill at his downfall. It felt like justice for his wrongdoings. "Victor Blackwood resigned and got sued and blacklisted? What's going on?" "I'll think about it," Tristan said, stroking his chin, pretending to ponder deeply, only to shrug and admit, "No idea." Nova was speechless. "It might just be that your company found his issues at the right time, and we just got lucky so they dropped it." Nova nodded thoughtfully. "You don't think I had anything to do with it, do you? I'm not that powerful!" Tristan laughed. Nova coughed awkwardly, indeed having entertained the thought, but Tristan was just a gigolo after all—not the type to have the clout to take down Victor. Yet, something still didn't sit right with her. Tristan always seemed to have more up his sleeve than he showed. But on second thought, if he were really that powerful, would he need her shelter? Maybe after a long streak of bad luck, their good fortune was finally beginning to show. Right now, top priority? Find a way to pay Tristan back, and fast. Nova sighed inwardly. As Tristan lounged on the couch, a smirk played on his lips while he scanned a message from his assistant. He'd pieced together the story behind the slap mark on Nova's face in no time. Tristan: You know what to do. Assistant: Got it. The next morning, Nova rolled out of bed, bleary-eyed, and shuffled out of her room. The couch was neatly made, and Tristan was already gone. Remembering how he'd mentioned his hectic job schedule and his rare appearances at home, she figured he'd headed out early for work. Nova let out another quiet sigh. If it weren't for her, Tristan wouldn't be saddled with such a huge debt. After a quick wash-up, Nova grabbed a bun and two eggs, munching on them as she hurried out the door. Her pretty face and childish eating habits caught the eyes of many on the street. Stepping out of her building, she spotted Tristan standing beside a swanky car, deep in conversation with a man. Tristan appeared relaxed, while the man seemed utterly deferential, clearly familiar with each other. The morning sunlight highlighted Tristan's tall, sleek silhouette. Just his side profile could knock thousands of girls off their feet, Nova included. Sleeping with such a hot guy, Nova mused, wasn't the worst trade-off. "Tristan," she called as she walked up to him. "What are you up to here?"